Catastrophic Injuries
The effects of serious burns last far longer than the injury itself. Not only are they extremely painful and sensitive to treat, but they often leave lifelong scarring, chronic pain, emotional trauma, and financial strain on victims. And when the injury is caused by someone else’s negligence, that only intensifies the pain and frustration.Â
Stabinski Law’s personal injury lawyers provide the legal strength you need paired with the individual attention you deserve. Since 1970, we’ve served South Florida with one priority: our clients. When you work with us, you work directly with a burn injury attorney who is fully invested in your recovery.
What Makes Burn Injuries So Serious?
Burn injuries are among the most painful and medically complex injuries a person can suffer. They are generally categorized into four degrees based on the depth of skin damage:
- First-degree burns: Affect only the top layer of skin, typically resulting in redness and mild pain. These often heal without medical treatment.
- Second-degree burns: Burns penetrate deeper into the skin, causing blisters, swelling, and intense pain. These burns usually require medical attention and can result in scarring.
- Third-degree burns: Destroys multiple layers of skin, often leaving the area numb due to nerve damage. Treatment may include skin grafts and reconstructive procedures.
- Fourth-degree burns: The most severe, damaging fat, muscle, and even bone. These injuries are life-threatening and typically require long-term care.
The Long-Term Health Effects of Burn Injuries
The consequences of serious burns go far beyond the skin. Victims often experience nerve damage, chronic pain, limited mobility, and recurring infections. Long-term recovery may involve numerous surgeries, physical therapy, and specialized equipment for mobility or daily living.
There’s also a heavy emotional toll. Disfigurement can lead to isolation, anxiety, and depression. According to the National Institutes of Health, burn survivors are at increased risk for PTSD and other psychological conditions, especially when their injuries affect their appearance or limit social interaction.
Legal Rights for Burn Injury Victims in Florida
If your burn injury was caused by another party’s carelessness, you have the right to pursue legal action. Under Florida law, this falls under personal injury due to negligence, which means proving that:
- Someone had a legal duty to keep you safe.
- They failed in that duty through action or inaction.
- That failure directly caused your injury,
Burn victims generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit in Florida. This timeframe can pass quickly, especially if you’re dealing with medical recovery, lost wages, or pressure from insurance companies.
How Compensation Is Calculated for Burn Injuries
Burn victims are often entitled to significant compensation due to the high costs and long-term consequences of their injuries. When calculating compensation for a claim, our Miami burn injury lawyers look at the following:
Medical Expenses
Includes emergency care, hospital stays, burn unit treatment, surgeries, plastic and reconstructive procedures, skin grafts, rehabilitation, home care, and assistive devices. The American Burn Association notes that severe burn cases often exceed $200,000 in hospital costs alone.
Pain and Suffering
Includes permanent scarring, disfigurement, reduced quality of life, and emotional trauma. Burn injuries affect how victims interact with the world, causing self-consciousness, social anxiety, and deep psychological harm.
Lost Wages and Future Earnings
Many victims are unable to return to work during recovery, if ever. This is especially devastating for workers in physically demanding jobs such as construction, food service, or transportation. We work with financial experts to calculate lifetime earnings loss and fight for full compensation.
Each case is different, and the amount you’re entitled to depends on the severity of your injuries, the costs of treatment, and how the injury has affected your life. Our injury attorneys ensure every dollar of that impact is accounted for.
Why Choose Stabinski Law for Your Burn Injury Case?
Direct Access to Your Attorney
Burn injury cases require serious legal and medical knowledge—and just as importantly, personal commitment. At Stabinski Law, we don’t pass clients off to support staff. You work directly with experienced, hands-on attorneys who’ve been representing Miami injury victims for more than 50 years.
A Strong Track Record of Success
Strong legal claims are built on solid evidence. That includes photographs, incident reports, witness statements, and a full record of medical treatment. Prior complaints or safety violations involving the responsible party also help demonstrate liability. Our team works quickly to gather these materials, consult with experts, and develop a clear strategy for maximum recovery.
We’ve helped clients recover significant compensation for burn injuries caused by apartment fires, chemical exposures, product malfunctions, and other incidents. Each case receives our full attention—from investigation to negotiation to trial, if necessary.
English- and Spanish-Speaking Representation
As a proudly bilingual firm, we serve Miami’s diverse communities with cultural sensitivity and fluency in both English and Spanish. We understand our city and the people who call it home. That local connection, combined with decades of trial-tested experience, is what makes our clients feel seen and heard.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Miami
Burn injuries can occur in a variety of situations, many of which involve negligence or unsafe environments:
- Apartment or building fires due to faulty wiring or neglected maintenance
- Scalding water burns in hotels, apartments, or rental properties
- Restaurant or kitchen burns involving oil, hot surfaces, or equipment malfunctions
- Workplace exposure to chemicals or fire hazards in construction or industrial settings
- Car accidents involving fuel fires or electrical malfunctions
- Defective consumer products, such as electronics or heating devices
These incidents often point to failures by landlords, property owners, employers, manufacturers, or commercial operators. Depending on the circumstances, your case may fall under premises liability, product liability, or negligence by an employer or third party.
Miami-Specific Risk Factors
Miami’s tourism industry and urban living conditions create unique risk factors for burn incidents:
- High-rise apartment living can delay fire response, potentially leading to worse injuries.Â
- Tourists may face unfamiliar safety risks in hotels, cruise ships, or vacation rentals.Â
- Many local workers in construction and hospitality are regularly exposed to heat, chemicals, and fire risks without proper safety protections.
What to Do After a Burn Injury
Time is of the essence after a burn injury. Immediate action can protect your health and your legal rights.Â
- If you haven’t already, seek medical care. Even a minor burn can become dangerous without treatment. Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center is one of the region’s leading burn units and should be your first stop for serious injuries.
- Next, begin documenting everything. Take clear photos of your injuries, the scene of the incident, and any hazardous conditions. Keep records of all treatment, prescriptions, and follow-up appointments. If your injury occurred at work or in a business, request a written incident report.
- Avoid discussing the injury with insurance companies until you’ve spoken with a lawyer. Adjusters are trained to settle quickly and cheaply. Don’t sign anything or agree to recorded statements. Let us handle those conversations for you.
FAQs About Burn Injury Lawsuits
How long will a burn injury case take?
Simple cases with clear liability may resolve in a few months. More complex cases with severe injuries or multiple liable parties can take longer and may go to trial.
What if my injury occurred while visiting Florida?
You can still file a lawsuit here. Florida law permits out-of-state visitors to pursue claims for injuries that occurred within the state, and our firm regularly handles these cases.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault?
Yes, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible. Your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
Speak With a Miami Personal Injury Attorney Today
Since 1970, Stabinski Law has represented countless victims of catastrophic injury. In that time, we’ve recovered $500 million in proceeds for clients who suffered undue physical, emotional, and financial distress. We know how these effects are particularly intense for our clients with burn injuries.
We make the process of seeking compensation as painless as possible for victims, doing the legal legwork so they can focus on recovery. So if you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury in Miami, contact our firm today.Â
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis—and if we don’t win, you don’t pay.
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